Plan at a glance
The old town and ticketed venues
Cicheng Ancient County Town is in Cicheng Town, Jiangbei District, Ningbo. Entry to the old-town streets is free and does not require a reservation. The Confucian Temple, former county office, examination hall and Fengyue Painted Gate House require separate tickets or a combination ticket, with a reference combination price of CNY 75. Qingdao Taoist Temple is sold separately, with a reference price of CNY 30.
Opening hours and entrances
The public old-town streets are generally open throughout the day. Core ticketed venues usually operate from 8:30–16:50, with entry ending around 16:30. Some venues close on Mondays, except for statutory holidays. Dongda Gate is the main old-town entrance, while Cicheng East Visitor Centre is close to the metro and core streets.
How long to allow
Allow about 3–4 hours for Dongda Gate, Congma River Street, Minquan Road and Cihu. If you want the Confucian Temple, former county office, examination hall and Fengyue Painted Gate House, allow 5–6 hours. Count the number of ticketed venues, closing times and walking effort together.
Tickets and visit details
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The county-town layout and Confucian Temple
Cicheng retains a Tang-period county-town layout and Ming- and Qing-period buildings. The Confucian Temple, former county office and examination hall explain local administration, Confucian learning and the imperial examination tradition. The core venues sell tickets and operate separately; the free lanes do not automatically include their indoor displays.
Fengyue Painted Gate House and traditional buildings
Fengyue Painted Gate House is a place to look at timber construction, painted decoration and courtyard layout. Minquan Road, the old stage and the old residential lanes retain a daily walking environment. Indoor teaching halls, art spaces and other exhibitions follow the venue’s opening arrangement.
Cihu and the Congma River
Cihu lies north of the old town and works well as a walk after the core venues. The Congma River has bridges, lanes and public space for daytime walking. Night markets, lighting and activities require separate confirmation and should not be treated as permanent seasonal features.
Who should choose this visit
History enthusiasts can buy the core-venue ticket and follow the buildings in sequence. Families can choose several of the Confucian Temple, examination hall, town wall and Cihu. The old town has many stone paths, so if someone in the group tires easily, keep the free streets and one or two indoor venues rather than trying to see everything.
Build your day
The 3–4-hour free-street route
Enter through Dongda Gate, walk through Congma River Street and Minquan Road, then continue to Cihu before leaving towards the Visitor Centre or metro. This route mainly uses public streets and can be completed without entering ticketed venues. If a shop, exhibition space or road is closed, follow the on-site detour.
The 5–6-hour core heritage route
Follow Dongda Gate, the Confucian Temple, former county office, examination hall, Fengyue Painted Gate House, Minquan Road, Zhou Xinfang Theatre Arts Museum and Cihu. Confirm the entry time and ticket for each of the four core venues. Remove one venue if needed so you have time for stone paths and rests.
Evening and festival activities
During holidays or lantern seasons, Congma River Street and Dongda Gate may have markets, lighting or performances. Their time, content and viewing areas follow the day’s arrangement. If you arrive in the late afternoon, finish the open ticketed venues first and then decide whether to stay for the evening activity.
Get there
Metro and walking
Take Metro Line 4 to Cicheng Station, Exit A2, and walk about 8–10 minutes towards the old town. Cicheng Station, the East Visitor Centre and Dongda Gate lead to different walking starts, so choose the one that fits your venue order.
Driving and parking
By car, search for Cicheng Ancient County Town Visitor Centre or the parking area outside Dongda Gate. Parking fees and capacity follow the same-day arrangement. Roads inside the old town are narrow on holidays, so leave the car outside and walk in instead of parking temporarily along the old streets.
Combining it with Baoguo Temple
Baoguo Temple Ancient Architecture Museum and Cicheng Ancient County Town can form a northern historic-architecture day, but they require a separate transfer and have different closing times and entry scopes. Finish Baoguo Temple, which usually stops entry earlier, before continuing to Cicheng so that you retain time for the old-town walk.
Know before you go
Combination tickets and free areas
The old-town streets are free. A combination ticket covers only the venues listed on it, while Qingdao Taoist Temple and other venues may charge separately. Decide whether you want the core buildings before buying; a walk through the lanes, Cihu and free exhibitions does not require the full combination ticket.
Mondays and venue differences
Some venues close on Mondays, with different arrangements possible on statutory holidays. The old town can be open while the Confucian Temple, art museum, museum or another indoor venue is closed. If a venue matters to your visit, plan around its own hours.
Stone paths, weather and crowds
The old town is large, and stone paths and bridges add to the walking effort. Wear flat shoes and carry water. Mosquitoes are more noticeable near the water in summer, and holiday lanes can be crowded. Keep residential entrances, shop doors and narrow passages clear when taking photographs.